PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thales Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and thaigo alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). alves has chosen sandstorm as his entrance music. thaigo alves has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machida
vs
thaigo alves

167 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
21
145 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thales Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, thaigo alves!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
alves tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
alves tries to clinch but Machida is having none of it.
alves is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
alves tries to clinch but Machida is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
alves shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Machida swats away the attempt to clinch by alves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by alves.
Machida misses the shot to the body.
Machida swats away the attempt to clinch by alves.
Machida fails to land the takedown.

alves clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Machida tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. alves smiles and moves away.
Machida blocks a head kick by alves.
Machida shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has alves pinned against the cage. alves gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thales Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
alves doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in alves's guard now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida won't allow alves to get back to his feet.
Machida pushing down on alves's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Machida is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Machida is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Machida wants to work for an arm triangle but alves is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Machida blocks the strikes from alves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida wants to work for an arm triangle but alves is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Machida is breathing heavily.

Machida is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Machida is thwarting alves's attempts to control the position.

Machida is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Machida is thwarting alves's attempts to control the position.
alves might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Machida kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
alves is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
alves pushes Machida off looking to stand but Machida dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thales Machida dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Machida throws a series of punches but alves avoids them all with ease.
alves checks a low kick from Machida.
Machida is looking to clinch but alves is avoiding it.
alves wants to clinch

and Machida counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in alves's guard now.

Machida drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Machida jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Machida drops back looking for a leg! alves is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and alves manages to kick Machida off! Machida jumps back into alves's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida drops back looking for a leg! alves is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and alves manages to kick Machida off! Machida jumps back into alves's guard.

Machida drops back, looking for a kneebar! alves looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. alves looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from alves!
alves trying to control the action but Machida is working from the bottom.
alves working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Machida is looking to regain half guard here but alves keeps moving and retains side control.

alves is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Machida knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Machida is trying to get back to his feet.

alves has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
alves tries to clinch

and Machida counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Machida maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! alves could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Machida has cracked it and alves is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Machida!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Thales Machida!